We see in movies that when our hero is in trouble to unlock the lock, he uses his credit card to unlock the door lock but does this technique work? Can you open a deadbolt lock with a credit card? In this guide, we will see whether this is possible to open a deadbolt lock using a credit or not and the other methods you can use to bypass the deadbolt lock.
Let’s Start!
Can You Open a Deadbolt Lock with a Credit Card?
Practically opening a lock using a credit card is not as good as we think because there are other good options to unlock the door lock, including bobby pins, lock picks, and other specialized tools to bypass the door lock.
We agree that opening a lock using a credit card or other card is applicable, but not all door locks can be opened using a credit card. It also depends upon the type of card you are using to bypass the lock. These cards include hotel keys, insurance cards, gift cards, and membership cards.
Now we will talk about, can you open a deadbolt lock with a credit card? Unfortunately, you cannot unlock a deadbolt using a credit card, but you can unlock other locks using a credit card that we will discuss later.
Which Locks is Pickable Using a Credit Card?
Slanted-latched style locks can be opened using a credit card, and in this case, the latch must be facing you to press the latch using a credit card. But how can we open a specific lock using a Credit card?
How to Open a Lock Using a Credit Card?
Before learning how to open a lock using a credit card, first look at the three essential things.
Ensure the lock is not Deadbolt
Ensure the lock you are going to open is not a deadbolt lock because a deadbolt lock contains a rod that can only be pulled back using a key or a lock picking.
The Slant of the Latch Must be Facing You
To determine whether the slatch is facing you or not, look at the door. If the door’s hinges are present on the opposite side, the slant is facing you, and it is easy to open the door using a credit card.
If the hinges are on your side, then the credit card hack will not work, and there will be a need to remove the hinges to get through the door.
There should be no Excessive Molding and Metal Plates
Excessive molding will hinder the process of unlocking. These plates or molding will interfere with the sliding of your credit card between the crack of the door and reaching the lock plate.
Now you can easily unlock a slanted latch lock using a credit card by following the steps listed below.
Slide the Card Between the Door and the Strike Plate
At a specific angle, slide the margin of the credit card between the door and the strike plate. When the corner of the card is inserted, make the straight and perpendicular to the door. Now the complete edge of the card will be between the door and the strike plate.
Bend Your Credit Card
Bend the credit card and push it by applying the force, and this bending will help the credit card get inserted between the door and the strike plate. Move the card up and down to insert it into the door and the strike plate.
Apply the Force on the Door
While bending the card, push the forcefully and shake the card simultaneously between the door and the lock plate. Keep pushing the door for force and wiggling the card until it slides enough to compress the latch. When the card compresses the latch, the door will be successfully opened.
Choosing a Card to Open a Door
The card that you choose to unlock the door also matters in the success of unlocking the door. When you use a credit card to unlock the door, the process is not as clean as the movies show to impress the viewers. The card will bear tons of juggling and bending while opening the lock, and no one will want to apply such stress on their credit card.
Credit cards are made of plastic and too thick and stiff to open the door lock effectively. There are chances of breaking a credit card when you wiggle it many times.
So here I will discuss some other cards that are flexible, thin, and lightweight, and these cards include:
- Gift cards
- Membership cards
- Hotel keys
- Insurance card
- Master cards
These cards and keys are less valuable than credit cards, so using these cards is wise than using credit cards. You can also cut a strip of plastic made up of the same material as the credit and another card to open the door lock.
Lock Picking Sets
Instead of using the actual credit card to open the door lock, there is a set of lock picking tools that you can use to open any lock. This toolset is size-friendly, and you can put these tools into your wallet.
These lock picks include all the primary tools to unlock the locks. These lock picks are mostly needed to unlock pin tumbler locks, and these are easy to use and are affordable to buy.
Lock that cannot be Open Using a Credit Card
Some locks are bad for picking using a credit card; these can only be opened using advanced lock picking tools. It does not matter how much you ideally use the credit card to open the lock.
The deadbolt lock and the other complicated locks cannot be opened using a credit card. This is entirely impossible to open these locks through a credit card. These bad locks include:
- All types of deadbolt locks.
- All the knob locks when the slant is away from your direction.
- Molding Blocking Locks
- Locks located on the opposite side of the door that you cannot see cannot be opened using a credit card.
Is Using a Credit Card to Open a Lock is Safe?
Sometimes it can also be problematic when you don’t want anyone to get into your home or room. To prevent it, you should adopt the following preventive measures.
- Use a deadbolt that a key can only open.
- Cover the strike plate with a trim to prevent anyone sliding the credit card into the lock.
To Sum Up
In short, you cannot open a deadbolt lock using a credit card. To open the deadbolt lock, you need advanced lock picking tools. But you can use your credit card to unlock the slanted-latch type lock. If you don’t want to get your credit card broken or damaged, you can easily use the lock picking tools to unlock the locks. In this guide, you will know why you cannot open the deadbolt lock using a credit card? And how to unlock the slanted-latch type lock using a credit card? You will also get information about the lousy lock for a credit card that cannot be opened using the actual credit card.